Rugby New York Explained

Teamname:Rugby New York
Nickname:Ironworkers
Roosters (former)
Location:New York City, New York
Ground:Mount Vernon Memorial Field, Mount Vernon, New York
Capacity:3,900
Chairman:Guy Bolton
Top Scorer:Dylan Fawsitt (125)
Most Tries:Dylan Fawsitt (25)
Url:https://rugbynewyork.com/
League:Major League Rugby
Pattern La1:_skyblueborder
Pattern B1:_collar
Pattern Ra1:_skyblueborder
Pattern Sh1:_skysides
Leftarm1:000D5B
Body1:000D5B
Rightarm1:000D5B
Shorts1:000D5B
Socks1:000D5B
Pattern La2:_skyblueborder
Pattern B2:_collar
Pattern Ra2:_skyblueborder
Pattern Sh2:_skysides
Leftarm2:ffffff
Body2:ffffff
Rightarm2:ffffff
Shorts2:ffffff
Socks2:ffffff

Rugby New York, originally known as Rugby United New York and officially nicknamed the Ironworkers, was a professional rugby union team based in New York City that was a member of Major League Rugby (MLR). The team played an exhibition season in spring 2018 and joined MLR for its second full season in 2019.[1] [2] The team was founded by James Kennedy.[3]

During the 2022 season, its first under the Rugby New York name, the team made its only MLR Final appearance, winning a title in front of 1,979 attendees at Red Bull Arena in nearby Harrison, New Jersey.[4]

In December 2023, MLR announced that Rugby New York had withdrawn from the league and had folded, following a failed attempt to sell the team.[5] [6]

History

Rugby United New York was founded in April 2018 by James Kennedy, owner of Murphy Kennedy Group a New York construction management company. In its 2018 exhibition season, RUNY was led by former USA men's national team coach Mike Tolkin, and assistant coaches Bruce McLane (former coach of New York Athletic Club RFC), Andrew Britt, and Vili Vakasisikakala. The team's 2018 spring season consisted of matches against the Ontario Arrows and the Mystic River Rugby Club of Boston. The team played its home matches at Gaelic Park in The Bronx.[7] The team played its first match on March 17, 2018, at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, New York.[8] New York defeated the Ontario Arrows by a score of 36–19. RUNY played its first match in New York City against Mystic River on March 24 before a sold-out crowd at Gaelic Park.[9] New York defeated Mystic River by a score of 50–0.

Ahead of the 2019 season, RUNY announced that they had retained Mike Tolkin as the team's head coach,[10] signed Kees Lensing as the team's forwards coach,[11] and named James English as general manager.[12] Tiffany Faʻaeʻe was signed as Assistant Coach.

On November 7, 2018, RUNY announced that MCU Park in Brooklyn would be their home field for their first full season.

On April 12, 2021, the club announced that they would begin the season at Cochrane Stadium in Jersey City, NJ. The club would end up splitting their home fields between Cochrane Stadium and Belson Stadium in Queens, NY.[13]

In January 2023, Rugby New York announced that Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, NY would be their home field.[14]

On December 6, 2023, it was announced that the Iron Workers would not compete in the 2024 MLR season.[15]

Broadcasts

2019 and 2020 home games were shown on SportsNet New York (SNY). Matt McCarthy, John Broker and Steve Lewis were the on air talent.

The 2021 season matches was broadcast on MSG Networks, ending their contract with SNY.

Sponsorship

During the inaugural season, RUNY signed a partnership deal with Magners Irish Cider,[16] the official drink partner and Bawnmore Irish Beef Jerky[17] as the official snack partner for the 2019 season. They also partnered up with EVF Performance,[18] the team's official gym and Motion PT Group, named the official physical therapy partner for the team.[19]

For the 2021 season, RUNY partnered with Sword Performance, a sports drink hydration company.[20] They also partnered with Mainfreight as their shirt sponsor for the next two seasons.[21]

SeasonKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
2018Paladin SportsMurphy Kennedy Group
2019XBlades
2020Paladin SportsNone
2021Paladin SportsMainfreight
2022
2023Paladin SportsHudson Pro Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Head coaches

Captains

Records

Season standings

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MLR announces New York team for 2019 . www.usmlr.com . . February 27, 2018.
  2. News: Pengelly . Martin . March 26, 2018 . Firefighters and cops face off as New York's pro rugby team debuts . . New York, NY . April 16, 2018.
  3. News: Melanson . Jack . March 30, 2018 . Packed house welcomes pro rugby to Gaelic Park . . April 18, 2018.
  4. Web site: Americas Rugby News . New York claims first MLR title with win over Seattle . Americas Rugby News . Americas Rugby News . 3 January 2023.
  5. Web site: A Statement from Nic Benson, CEO of Major League Rugby . 2023-12-07 . Major League Rugby . en-US.
  6. Web site: Former champions New York out of 2024 MLR season . Americas Rugby News. www.americasrugbynews.com. December 6, 2023.
  7. News: Mitchell . Alex . March 19, 2018 . New York's first professional rugby team is coming to the Bronx . . April 16, 2018.
  8. Web site: New York win historic first match over Ontario . March 17, 2018 . Americas Rugby News . April 16, 2018.
  9. Web site: New York blank Boston on historic night in the Bronx . March 25, 2018 . Americas Rugby News . April 16, 2018.
  10. Web site: Tolkin confirmed as New York MLR coach. August 7, 2018. Americas Rugby News. October 15, 2018.
  11. Web site: Rugby United New York Signs Forwards Coach Kees Lensing. www.rugbyunitedny.com. 2018-10-26.
  12. Web site: Rugby United New York Announces James English as GM. www.rugbyunitedny.com. 2018-10-26.
  13. Web site: New York’s first home games at New Jersey’s Cochrane Stadium. americasrugbynews.com. April 12, 2021. August 2, 2024.
  14. Web site: 2023 Home Stadium Announced. January 2023. 2023-06-27.
  15. Web site: Toronto Arrows, Canada’s lone entry in Major League Rugby, not playing in 2024 . www.sportsnet.ca . 28 November 2023 . 27 November 2023.
  16. Web site: Magners Becomes Official Hard Cider of Rugby United New York.
  17. Web site: Bawnmore Becomes Official Snack Partner of Rugby United New York.
  18. Web site: Evf Performance Becomes Official Gym Partner of Rugby United New York.
  19. Web site: MOTION PT Group Partners with Rugby United New York.
  20. Web site: Sword Performance is a proud sponsor of Rugby United New York .
  21. Web site: Our Partners.